INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. — A wrong-way crash on Florida's Turnpike claimed the life of a 26-year-old woman late Saturday night, injuring several others.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to the incident at mile marker 173.5 on the northbound side of the highway at 10:05 p.m. Saturday.
According to FHP, a 2025 Kia K4 sedan was traveling south in the northbound lanes when it collided head-on with a northbound 2023 Kia Pacifica. The impact sent the Kia K4 into the center median, where it came to a stop facing south.
The Kia Pacifica was redirected into the outside lane, striking a third vehicle traveling north. The driver of the Kia K4 was pronounced dead at the scene by St. Lucie County Fire Rescue.
Two young children in the Kia K4, aged 5 and 3, were transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital. The 5-year-old sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while the 3-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries.
Three passengers in the Kia Pacifica—a 24-year-old woman, a 50-year-old woman, and a 74-year-old woman—were also taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 22-year-old driver of the Pacifica was similarly injured.
The driver of the third vehicle, a 48-year-old man from Mount Dora, was uninjured, although a 46-year-old female passenger did sustain minor injuries.
All lanes reopened at 6:15 a.m. Sunday following the incident.